diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/intent/impl/GossipIntentStore.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/intent/impl/GossipIntentStore.java
index 43b89f6..884d86a 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/intent/impl/GossipIntentStore.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/intent/impl/GossipIntentStore.java
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
         if (IntentData.isUpdateAcceptable(currentData, newData)) {
             // Only the master is modifying the current state. Therefore assume
             // this always succeeds
-            if (newData.state() == PURGE_REQ) {
+            if (newData.state() == PURGE_REQ && currentData != null) {
                 currentMap.remove(newData.key(), currentData);
             } else {
                 currentMap.put(newData.key(), new IntentData(newData));